In the early 1980s Scott Keenan, then, executive director of Grandma's Marathon, started and directed the Minnesota Mile in Duluth, Minnesota. At the time, it was the second mile road race to be hosted in the United States behind the Fifth Avenue Mile directed by legendary race director, Fred Lebow. After a seven year run, the Minnesota Mile was discontinued.  I had the honor of running the first MN Mile after the revived the MN Mile and it was run on the MN State Fairgrounds.  Then, it was relocated to downtown Duluth and it will be held again this Sunday, September 8.

Here is a detailed traffic report for the day of the race from the Duluth Police Department:

Beginning at 8:30 a.m. traffic will be diverted from portions of Superior Street in Downtown Duluth for the Minnesota Mile Races which start at 09:00 a.m.

Motorists should obey temporary "No Parking" signs on both sides of Superior Street from 4th Avenue West to 8th Avenue East. Violators will be tagged and towed. Traffic delays will occur for approximately three hours . Motorists should be alert for officers directing traffic in that area.

Canal Park and the DECC may be accessed by using 5th Avenue West and Railroad Street. Traffic coming from the Northbound and Southbound I-35 off ramps to Lake Avenue will be temporarily diverted toward Canal Park. Traffic wanting to access Downtown from the Canal Park area will also be required to use 5th Avenue West.

5th Avenue West to Railroad Street will be the only access to the DECC and Canal Park from Downtown during the race, and the only way to access Downtown Northbound from the Canal Park area. East Michigan Street traffic will be blocked at 4th Ave W, and diverted at 1st Ave W., and sent back to 5th avenue west.

Downtown traffic should return to normal by approximately 11:30 a.m.

 

 

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